Lt Cdr Firdaus Darabshah Mogal SC

Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal was born on 15 October 1974 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to Shri Darabshah and Smt Armin. The eldest of three sons, Lt Cdr Firdaus, grew up in a close-knit family that instilled in him the values of discipline, perseverance, and service to the nation. He completed his schooling from the esteemed Maneckji Cooper Educational Trust School, where he excelled both in academics and extracurricular activities, displaying early signs of leadership and an adventurous spirit. Motivated by a deep desire to serve the nation and drawn to the life of honour and discipline in the Armed Forces, Lt Cdr Firdaus joined the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1992. At the NDA, he underwent rigorous military training that honed his physical endurance, mental toughness, and leadership abilities. His time at the Academy laid a solid foundation for a career dedicated to safeguarding India’s maritime frontiers.

On 1 January 1998, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy as a Sub Lieutenant. Guided by a passion for challenges and an innate adventurous nature, he volunteered for the elite Submarine Arm of the Navy—a choice that demanded exceptional skill, resilience, and the ability to work in high-pressure, high-risk environments. He successfully completed the Basic Submariner Course with flying colours, marking the beginning of his distinguished service beneath the waves. Throughout his naval career, Lt Cdr Firdaus held a variety of key operational and instructional appointments. He served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer on board INS Shalki, where he played a critical role in enhancing the ship’s warfighting readiness. His instructional skills came to the fore when he was appointed Training Coordinator at the Submarine School, INS Satvahana, Visakhapatnam, where he contributed significantly to shaping the next generation of submariners.

Demonstrating exceptional leadership and operational expertise, he later took charge as the Executive Officer of INS Shankush, one of the Navy’s frontline submarines. His professionalism, tactical acumen, and dedication to duty earned him high regard among his peers and subordinates alike. In recognition of his professional competence, zeal, enthusiasm, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lt Cdr Firdaus Darabshah Mogal was awarded a commendation by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command in 2007—an honour that reflected his outstanding contributions to the service.

INS Shankush Operation: 30 Aug 2010

On 26 May 2010, Lieutenant Commander Mogal assumed the duties of the Executive Officer (XO) of INS Shankush, a frontline submarine of the Indian Navy. Known for his professional competence, physical endurance, and unwavering commitment to his crew, Lt Cdr Mogal brought with him a reputation for being a dependable leader in both operational and challenging sea conditions. On 29 August 2010, while the submarine was en route for an operational deployment, a technical defect was detected in the starboard flap—a vital control surface essential for underwater maneuvering. The defect posed a serious risk to the mission’s continuation. After assessing the situation, the authorities decided that the submarine would surface in the exercise area after sunrise the next day to attempt external repairs, which was the only viable option to enable the vessel to carry on its deployment. However, at the time, the submarine was battling heavy seas, rough weather, and rolling waves, making any external work extremely dangerous.

The Fateful Morning – 30 August 2010, at around 6:55 am, a repair party consisting of three sailors, led by the Engineering Officer, commenced work on the casing to rectify the defect. Without warning, a powerful wave crashed onto the submarine’s deck, sweeping two sailors and the Engineering Officer overboard into the turbulent sea. Realizing the life-or-death situation, Lt Cdr Mogal instantly swung into action. He spotted the third sailor still clinging to the aft casing, unable to move due to a severe leg injury. Braving the pitching deck, driving rain, and the constant threat of being swept overboard himself, Lt Cdr Mogal reached the injured sailor. In an extraordinary display of strength and fearlessness, he lifted the immobilized man onto his shoulders and began the perilous journey from the aft casing to the bridge—an act made nearly impossible by the extreme weather and the submarine’s violent motion. For 20 exhausting minutes, he fought against the towering waves and slippery surfaces until he reached the ladder on the fin, which itself was being repeatedly submerged by waves. Demonstrating sheer willpower, he climbed the narrow ladder with the injured man on his shoulders and successfully handed him over to the bridge crew. Without pause for rest, he turned to assist the divers who were already attempting to recover the men still overboard.

The Second Rescue Attempt

The successful recovery of one casualty gave hope to the overboard men, who now fixed their eyes on their XO for salvation. Once again, Lt Cdr Mogal threw himself into the rescue effort, pulling the men closer to the submarine with the divers’ help. Just as they began assisting the survivors to climb aboard, a massive wave engulfed them, washing all six personnel—including Lt Cdr Mogal—into the churning sea. Even in this dire moment, Lt Cdr Mogal remained calm under extreme duress. He gathered all the men into a tight huddle, ensuring none drifted away. Signaling the bridge, he indicated his intent to lead the group back to the submarine’s casing. With unrelenting determination, he helped each man climb on board, even allowing them to stand on his shoulders to gain a foothold. His instructions were clear—every man was to board before him.

Once all six men were safe on deck, Lt Cdr Mogal began his climb. However, just as he was about to reach safety, another towering wave struck, hurling him back into the sea. This time, it is believed he suffered serious head injuries from the impact. The Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer (ASWO) immediately requested a Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter, and Lt Cdr Mogal was evacuated to Naval Hospital INS Ashwini. Despite the best medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries—having saved six shipmates at the cost of his own life. For his selfless leadership, indomitable spirit, and gallantry beyond the call of duty, Lt Cdr Mogal was posthumously awarded the "Shaurya Chakra", one of India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards. His actions remain a shining example of the highest traditions of the Indian Navy, reflecting not only physical courage but an unyielding commitment to the safety and well-being of his men.

Lt Cdr Firdaus Darabshah Mogal is survived by his father, Shri Darabshah, mother, Smt Armin, wife Smt Kerzin Mogal, and son Yashaan.

The Citation for the "Shaurya Chakra" awarded to him reads:-

Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal assumed the duties of the Executive Officer of the submarine on 26 May, 2010. On 29 August, 2010, whilst the submarine was en-route for a deployment, a defect was observed on the starboard outer exhaust flap. All attempts to rectify the defect from within the submarine proved futile. At about 0655 hour on 30 August 2010, a team comprising of 3 sailors led by the Engineer Officer of the submarine was sent on the casing for defect rectification. As the team was approaching the flap on the after casing, a strong wave swept two of the sailors and the Engineer Officer overboard. The third sailor was badly injured and was hanging overboard with his storm belt with major abrasive injuries on his leg, Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal who was on bridge, immediately realized the gravity of the situation. Since the injured sailor hanging on the after casing was required to be recovered immediately, he himself proceeded to rescue the injured sailor.   After about 20 min of frightening struggle, the officer reached the ladder on the fin that had to be climbed for handing over the injured sailor to bridge. The recovery of the first casualty infused hope in the overboard men to hang on and they looked at their Executive Office for their rescue. He managed to pull the overboard men close to the submarine. Once all were onboard, the officer attempted to climb up and as he was about to reach another wave washed him overboard. It appeared that he had sustained head injuries due to this wave. Realizing this, the ASWO of the submarine proceeded to his rescue. Simultaneously, assistance of a SAR helicopter was called for from Mumbai. Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal was rescued by the SAR helicopter and evacuated to INHS Asvini, however he had succumbed to his injuries by then. 

Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal displayed exceptional courage, unmatched show of fearless valor in the face of death and made supreme sacrifice in saving the lives of six men.

Lt Cdr Mogal’s wife, Smt Kerzin’s tribute to her husband( Six months after his martyrdom):-

“Prayers for my beloved husband brought all the pain and the pain is something one will just have to live with. Six months without you has felt like years,yet when I see the picture of us 3 as one big happy family, it feels like yesterday.If time is the healer I’d want to be healed but never shall these memories fade off. Keep being with Yashann and me – we never can have enough of you ever”.

•  Submariners training centre at Viskhapatnam has been renamed as “The Firdaus Mogal simulator complex building’ in 2012. INS Satavahana was ‘Lt Cdr Firdaus’ alma  mater and he had  worked towards setting up the ‘Simulator Complex’.
• A portrait of Lt Cdr Firdaus was unveiled in the hall of the Mahuva Parsi Dadgah (a fire   temple) on 26-01-2013. Mahuva (Dist. Surat, Gujarat State) is the native place of ‘Lt Cdr Firdaus. The fire temple was established in 1859.

• On the same day Parsi religion scholar Dr. R. Peer released a small book in Gujarati and English edited by his uncle Dr. Hosang Mogal titled ‘Bhar Bapore  Suryast’ (Sunset at Noon). The aim was to inspire the younger generation to do their duty to the nation and encourage them to join the country’s defense services.

• The Gram Panchayat of Mahuva named Parsi Mohalla as ‘Lt Cdr Firdaus Mogal Marg’ on 11-09-2016. On that day the second edition of ‘Bhar Bapore Suryast’ was released by the guests of honour Cmde Aspi Marker (Retd.) and Shri Ganpatsinh Vasava, Minister of Tribal Welfare, Tourism and Forests in Gujarat Government.

• “Shri Sayaji Vaibhav Sarvajanic Pustakalya and Shri Narendra Parekh Gyandhan” of Navsari (founded in 1898) is very active and dynamic library of Gujarat. The Management of library decided to initiate a lecture series called 'Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous) awardee  Lt Cdr Firdaus Darabshah Mogal memorial Lecture series’ in memory of Late Lt Cdr Firdaus Mogal. The library invites retired or serving officers of the Indian Armed forces to address students of schools and colleges.